Ten days Kapaleeswarar Temple festival from March 20

The 10 days Brahmotsavam festival of Mylapore Kapaleeswarar Temple here, will begin with the traditional flag hoisting ceremony at 7.30am on March 20(Saturday).

The great "Car" festival will be conducted on March 26, (Friday) followed with 'Arupathumoovar' on March 27.

"Preparations are underway to ensure the smooth conduct of the festival", temple officials said.

The Chennai Metro-Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB) will provide drinking water to about, 50,000 people who are expected every day during the ten-day festival, Chennai Corporation will set up a mobile toilet around the temple area and fire tenders, ambulances and police security will be in place for the festival.

According to police officials, here will be one police outpost within the temple and seven watch towers fitted with cameras. "CCTV cameras will be installed within and outside the temple and a digital banner Will display pictures of notarial and pickpockets", sources added.

Efforts are on to find parking facilities in schools in the locality.

Festival IN Web

The festival will be web cast on www.mylaikapaleeswarar.org, said a Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Board(HR&CEB) official.

It is learned from the officials, for the first time, a free three-year residential course for "Oduvars" will be on offer for aspiring students, to be conducted by the Kapaleeswarar Temple Trust. The students will be given a monthly stipend of Rs 500.

"There are no organized training schools for "Oduvars" in Chennai and following the example of Palani Murugan temple , the Kapaleeswarar temple will introduce the course from the coming academic year", Additional Commissioner HR&CEB Jayaraman told Asian Tribune.

On completion of the course, which will certify them as 'Oduvars' and students will be absorbed in temples where vacancies exist, at a salary of around Rs 8,000, Jayaraman added.

"Hindus in the age group of 14-20 who have passed class VIII are eligible to apply", he said.

- Asian Tribune -